The concepts of "learning community" and "community of practice" may hold value to researchers, but questions exist as to how well they help in organizing and clarifying the type of critical thinking involved in investigative work. This paper approaches the problem from two directions. One is to deconstruct the two concepts…

Discusses the importance of community study in teacher education and suggests approaches to follow in cultivating teachers' sensitivity to the community. (JG)

Suggests methods and materials for class discussions of local water resources and conservation. (SJL)

This publication for educators offers in-depth articles on anthropological research, teaching activities, reviews of new resources, and summer fieldwork opportunities. The document aims to disseminate recent research in anthropology; to help those teaching anthropology utilize new materials, approaches, and community resources, as well as…

A museum program in Montreal encourages elementary and secondary school students to examine their surroundings and neighborhoods. Units focus on stained glass windows, houses, history of Montreal, the neighborhood, and architectural heritage. (KC)

School financial elections are won by analyzing what people know and need to know about the ballot issue; developing a ballot issue that is salable; then organizing, planning, financing, communicating, and finally evaluating to see what went right and what went wrong in the campaign. (Author/MLF)

Students can use their community as a historical base, but they must first learn how to question effectively. Specific strategies for implementing interviews are suggested. Through interviewing, students learn concepts about demography, roles, and social change, and they acquire skills in collecting data, testing hypotheses, and evaluating data.…

Provides suggestions for turning the search for local history materials into a coherent package for the classroom. Teachers should choose a project that teaches skills and helps shape student values. A thematic approach (for example, transportation) contributes to selectivity and is useful for producing a sourcebook. (KC)

This article describes an economics trail which aims to encourage elementary and secondary students to use their knowledge of economics in looking at their local surroundings. For availability, see SO 505 564. (Author/AV)

The purpose of this research was to study a school district in a small American city to understand who controls school curriculum in the local community. The research approach used was reputational analysis, a survey method whereby the reputed influence of leaders is measured rather than taken for granted. Also used was a technique developed by…

Suggests that observing, photographing, and discussing local buildings and places can help students form opinions about the built environment, the art form they experience most of the time. Presents some teaching ideas from existing photography-in-the-built-environment projects in Britain and the United States. (Author/SJL)

Discusses a local history project sponsored by The Brick Store Museum in Kennebunk, Maine. States that studying a local community focuses students' attention on how people and historical events have shaped their own lives. Describes how the program helped a fourth grade class explore and understand the past and present, as well as prospects for…

Examines the elements involved in researching the culture and climate of a school district and its community to help professionals market their services and secure school-district contracts. A check list of culture and climate variables is provided to help guide the research. (GR)

These materials discuss the history of Chicago, Illinois, including prominent persons in the city's past, and landmarks for which Chicago is well known. A number of activities are suggested, some of which concern Chicago's industries, historical sites, architecture, newspapers, ethnic groups, and history. A list of books about Chicago for…

Methods and sample forms for postelection analysis and preelection surveys are supplied. Other guides include a campaign organization chart, a 12-week campaign calendar, an illustration of a proposed tax increase, and a list of 100 questions that must be answered before final plans for the issue are made. (Author/MLF)